NuPEA CHANGE OF GUARD – Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA)

Prof. Eng. Lawrence O. M. Gumbe (PhD)

Eng. Gumbe is a seasoned professional engineer accredited in the Republic of Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. He holds a Ph.D from the Ohio State University in the USA, an MSc degree from Cranfield University in the UK and a B.Sc Degree from the University of Nairobi in Kenya. he is a registered professional consulting engineer (CE) with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), a lead consultant with NEMA and a Chartered Environmentalist in the United Kingdom. He has worked in several countries regionally and internally such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, USA and the UK.
He has vast experience in governance, management and recruitment in the public, private and civil society sectors. He has worked as a professor and adjunct professor in engineering at the University of Nairobi, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University and Jaramogi Oginga University of Science and Technology.
He is an accredited checker by the Engineering Board of Kenya and is a member of several professional bodies and societies such as the Institution of Engineers in Kenya, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya, the Architectural Association of Kenya, the Environmental Institute of Kenya, the American Society of Civil Engineers and Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Agricultural Engineers in the UK among others. Eng. Gumbe has authored a book and has articles published in several science and engineering journals.
He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor, Department of Environmental and Bio systems Engineering –University of Nairobi and holds the position of Chairman of the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

Ms Lilian Wanjama

Ms Wanjama holds a Master of Applied Science (MAppSc), in Economic Geology at School of Earth and Environmental Science, James Cook University Australia and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology, University of Nairobi. She has over 25 years’ experience in Geology and is a member of the Geological Society of Kenya. Ms Wanjama is currently the Chief Geologist, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and serves as the Principal Secretary’s Alternate on the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

Ms Irene Okwach

Ms Okwach holds an LLM International Oil and Gas and Policy from the University of Dundee, Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of
Law and a Bachelors of Laws from the University of Nairobi. She has over twelve years’ experience in law and is currently serving as a Principal State Counsel at the State Law Office. She also serves as the Attorney General’s Alternate at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Board.

Benedict Njuguna

CHRP Benedict Njuguna is the Manager, Human Resource and Administration at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). With over 10 years of experience in Human Resource and Administration in the public sector, Mr. Njuguna has held positions such as Principal Human Resource and Administration Officer and Senior Human Resource Officer at NuPEA.

Mr. Njuguna holds a Master of Arts in International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, he possesses a higher National Diploma in Human Resources Management from the College of Human Resource Management.

He is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) and practicing member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).

Justus Wabuyabo

Mr. Wabuyabo holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Moi University and a Masters Degree in International Law from the University of Nairobi. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 22 years of experience. He is also a Certified Public Secretary, Commissioner of Oaths, a Notary Public and an Accredited Governance Auditor. He is a Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), East African Law Society (EALS), Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association (CLA) and the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS).

Mr Wabuyabo joined NuPEA in 2019 as Director, Legal and Regulatory Services and Corporation Secretary. He previously served as General Manager, Legal and Corporate Services at National Water and Harvesting Authority. He has also served as a lecturer at Kenya School of Law and Mount Kenya University.

Mr. Joseph Mwaura Kamau

FA Kamau holds a MBA Finance from KAEST University Korea, MA Economics Finance and Banking (Financial Sector Policy) from Moi University and a BA Mathematics and Economics from the University of Nairobi. His has over twenty years’ experience in financial matters. He currently serves as an Economist-National Treasury (Department of Investment and Public Enterprise) and the Alternate to the Principal Secretary National Treasury at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Board. He is a Certified Investment Financial Analyst.

ALEX KAMAU WACHIRA

The Principal Secretary joins the State Department for Energy with a wealth of experience from the private sector where he worked variously as an investment banker. His latest assignment was with Faida Investment Bank where he traded and structured Treasury bonds and Corporate bonds at the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). Other assignments include working with Dyer & Blair Investment Bank and Genghis Capital limited in the same capacity.

PS Wachira has served in various leadership’s positions right from his university days. He was a founding member of the Bonds Market Association as well as a member of the Steering Committee of the Kenya Association of Stock Brokers and Investment Bankers (KASIB). His contribution to the Bond’s market saw him being appointed to the Central Depository Project at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). In 2021, the project dealt in government securities worth 900 billion, the highest turnover ever in Kenya.

The PS launched his career in the financial sector after participating in the issuance of the Safaricom IPO in 2008 where he interned. He had prior completed a Bsc Degree course from the University of Nairobi. At Campus, he served as the Secretary General NUNSA and Treasurer for the Confederation of Medical Students Association. He is currently pursuing an MA in Leadership at Pan African Christian University.

A strong believer in servant leadership through community engagement and development, in that position, the PS was able to spearhead initiatives such, as free medical camps for Cancer Screening, Tree planting, Youth Mentorship Programmes, and Sports Tournaments among others. Born and bred in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, the PS is a family man who’s strict up bringing is instrumental in shaping him into the person he is.

Dr. Anne J. G. Michura (PhD)

Dr. Michura is an experienced professional in industry, research, agriculture and teaching with a wealth of experience in management and leadership. She holds a Ph.D in Zoology (Entomology) from Chuka University, an Masters of Philosophy in Zoology (Agricultural Entomology) from Moi University and a Bachelors in Education Science (Botany/Zoology) from Egerton University. She is a seasoned lecturer of Biological sciences (Zoology/ Botany) and environmental science courses having worked at Chuka University, Egerton University and Kabarak Universities in Kenya. She has also served in various boards in Kenya. She is a member of the Entomology Society of Kenya and has published in various research journals. She currently serves as a Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, Chuka University and an Independent Director of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

Dr. Winnie Ndubai

Dr. Winfred Ndubai is the Director, Strategy & Planning at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

She has 20 years of experience in Kenya’s power sector. Previously, she worked for Kenya’s largest power generating utility, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, in a role that focused on business development, strategic planning, and analysis of the company’s operations as Chief Business Strategy Officer.

Dr. Winnie holds a Ph.D. in Finance, a Master’s Degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the University of Nairobi, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from the Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands. At the Agency, she worked at the technical directorate for eight years, four as the head of the directorate. She was involved in conducting technical studies for Kenya’s nuclear power programme including the pre-feasibility study, development of a 15-year nuclear power programme roadmap, and overseeing the development of policies and strategies for various aspects of the NPP, among other activities.

Upon her appointment to head the Strategy and Planning directorate in 2019, she has spearheaded the development of the Agency’s five-year strategic plan that encompasses additional roles of coordination of research, development and capacity building in the energy and petroleum sectors.

Eng. Erick Ohaga

Eng. Erick Ohaga is currently the Director, Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development at Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). Previously worked at the Kenya Power and Lighting PLC, and rose through the ranks to the position of county Business Manager. He has over 16 years’ vast experience in Energy Policy development, Nuclear policy and strategy formulation, design, construction, contract management, operations, maintenance and planning of power systems. Eng. Ohaga has intense experience in power purchase contract administration and regional power trade and participated in the development of the Kenya’s standardized Power Purchase Agreement for Renewable Energy Sources under the Feed-in-Tariff regime. He developed the Kenya Distribution Master Plan 2015-2020.

He holds MSc in Nuclear Engineering (KINGS), Masters of Business Administration, BSc. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and post graduate diploma in Project Planning and management. He serves in council of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) as the Vice President. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya and a consulting Engineer with Engineers Board of Kenya. He chairs the membership committee of IEK and national interviewing panel member of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Eng. Ohaga is a certified coach/mentor and certified personal development analyst (SA). He is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), and full member of Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).

Caren Oduor

Ms Caren Oduor is the Manager, Finance and Accounts at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

Caren has a vast experience in Finance and accounting from both public and private sectors which includes; Chief Accountant at Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Senior Accountant at Rural Electrification Authority and also Senior Accountant at New KCC. Caren also worked as Accounts Manager at Siemens NV and at Worldspace Corporation as a Chief Accountant.

Caren holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce(Accounting option)degree both from the University of Nairobi.

She is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya – CPA (K) and a member of Institute of Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and a member of Assciation of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK)

CS Serah Esendi Okumu

CS Serah is an Advocate of the High Court, Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public and Certified Secretary with at least fourteen years work experience. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) Degree from the University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, A Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She is a practicing member of the Law Society of Kenya, and the Institute of Certified Secretaries respectively. She has served as a Corporation Secretary and Head of Legal Services at the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management and the Technical University of Mombasa with over ten years experience in the public sector. She was awarded First Runners Up in the Public Sector Lawyer of the year award 2022, under the Law Society of Kenya, Nairobi Branch.

Lawrence K. Siele

Lawrence Siele is the Manager, ICT at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

His past experience includes: Head of ICT Mount Kenya University, Nakuru Campus, Senior Systems Developer at Kabarak University and ICT Manager at Kabarak University.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. He holds a Diploma in Project Management and Diploma in Database Management. He also holds professional qualifications in Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), PRINCE2, PMP and Cybersecurity.

Lawrence is a member of the Computer Society of Kenya (CSK), Information Technology Professionals Association (ITPA) and Internet Society (ISOC) Kenyan Chapter.

Mr. Abdisalan Abdi

Mr Abdi holds a Msc Health Economics and Policy, Masters of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, MBA in Strategic Management, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Business Management from Moi University. He has over 20 years’ experience in the medical industry currently serving as the CEO, Kheybar Medical Centre. He also serves as an Independent member of the Board of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.

Ms Carren Akinyi Olweny

Ms Olweny holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Marketing/Communication), Diploma in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Sales and Selling Management. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategic Management. She has over 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing. She is currently serving as a Senior Business Executive- Royal Media Services Ltd, Nairobi and Director- Admin and Communication (Communication) and Advancierge Africa Strategic Solutions LTD (AASSL). She is an Independent Member of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency Board.